How to find raw Large Cents.

SiriusBlack

I have a Dansco large cents album that I'd like to start filling. Eventually I want to get a couple very nice, high grade slabbed pieces, but for the album I'd like to just fill it with lower grade, maybe XF but problem free coins. Does anyone have recommendations on how to search? I search eBay of course, but 95% seem to be cleaned beat to hell versions.
I don't want to spend a mint on the coins and I know I'll never finish the album but it will be fun to plug away at here and there.

I'm also aware of the fact that they don't all fit properly but I'll address that as needed.

I guess my question is, are there other sites or avenues for raw large cents, and is there an average price for non key date stuff? It would be nice to keep it under $50 per coin but I have no idea if that's reasonable or not. It seems like all of the websites I hunt carry predominantly slabbed coins.

Thanks!

jedm

I've found some nice ones from these sellers: Tom Reynolds, Shawn Yancey, Frisco Mint and Inde et lib. It's a challenging but fun quest, enjoy! (Edited to add sellers, thanks @TurtleCat )

TurtleCat

It’s not my area but I found this link url that might be very helpful: http://www.largecents.net/links.html

SiriusBlack

Thanks guys. I'll take a look at those. I am familiar with one of them, I've purchased from Shawn before!

lkeigwin

I acquired more than a few from Tom Deck. My Dansco is nearly complete (missing the '93 Liberty Cap). A few I've left in holders...not brave enough to crack the really pricey ones.
Lance.

Large cents for sale.

Elcontador

There was a guy who set up at Long Beach who had bins of Large and Half Cents. One bin was $15, another was $20. Some of the common date coins might grade on the lower end of VF, older ones more toward G. You could probably get quite a few of them for a Dansco album from this guy when Long Beach opens again.

opportunity

@SiriusBlack said:

95% seem to be cleaned beat to hell versions.

That's because 95% of Large Cents are beat up...if you want problem free (or problem free enough) then buy them in slabs and crack them out for your album. Or just learn to scope them out.

Dave99B

I'll second the Tom Reynolds recommendation. Fair, honest dealer, who knows copper.

Dave

SiriusBlack

Thanks everyone, lots to learn as always! Side note, Tom Reynolds doesn’t seem to have anything in his online shop. I’m guessing I’d just have to call him for specifics.

DRUNNER

I am watching this thread . . . . .I have several antique holders (Oberwise Boards and LOC / Oberwise / Raymond) and have always thought it would be fun to put a matched (uncleaned) set of Large Cents together . . . .with the exception of the biggies perhaps . . . . .

Drunner

JimW

@opportunity said:

@SiriusBlack said:

95% seem to be cleaned beat to hell versions.

That's because 95% of Large Cents are beat up...if you want problem free (or problem free enough) then buy them in slabs and crack them out for your album. Or just learn to scope them out.

It seems to me that even a large proportion of slabbed ones are net or details graded.

SiriusBlack

I had heard of the planchet problems issue before and man your guys aren’t wrong. Looking online finding nice looking problem free ones are few and far between. At least in a price I’m willing to pay. It doesn’t seem realistic to out a rough $50 idea for a coin out there. The vast majority are easily twice that and really, with all the rough shaped ones, it’s harder to find something I actually want to give any money for 😂.

I can see how this could be a very slow, few and far between gradual set to build. You don’t just say, I’m going to buy a large sent today and pick one out,

Walkerguy21D

Great endeavor!

Since you mention both XF and “under $50 per coin”, I can tell you that you will have to either lower your grade expectation, or raise your price, or both, for most of the dates other than the most common late dates. And if you plan to shop at Reynolds table, or the other major EAC dealers, expect to pay full freight. Great guys all, with very nice stuff, but you won’t find any bargains. And you would do well to familiarize yourself with EAC/net grading.
If you have access to shows, I’d study up by looking at a LOT of coins online and in hand, then hunt the later dates from general dealers who sell closer to “sheet” prices.
With earlier dates, compromise is the name of the game. Surface condition is critical, and nice, smooth lower grade coins are in more demand than less worn coins with rough, dark or corroded surfaces. These are coins you may very well have to shop for at the specialists. But practice on the inexpensive later date coins first!

slider23

Trying to find problem free with original skin draped bust and classic head large cents raw or in a TPG holder is a real challenge in any grade VF and below. For the draped bust and classic head $50 and under is not really doable unless you are looking at grades G4 and under or problem coins, and forget about the key dates for $50. eBay is going to have your largest selection by far in your price range. Here are some dealers to try:
Doug Bird (Hermosa, CA), Shawn Yancey (Springfield, MO), and Chris Victor-McCauley (Texas)
Tom Deck website http://www.largecents.net, Gerry Fortin Rare Coins usually has a small selection of Large Cents

messydesk

@Elcontador said:
There was a guy who set up at Long Beach who had bins of Large and Half Cents. One bin was $15, another was $20. Some of the common date coins might grade on the lower end of VF, older ones more toward G. You could probably get quite a few of them for a Dansco album from this guy when Long Beach opens again.

That would probably have been Jerry Bobbe and/or Steve Ellsworth. They had bins like that at the FUN show.

ricko

That is quite a project you are beginning... I like the large copper cents, and years ago, at coin shows, I would peruse the tables of the copper guys....learned quite a bit (no, not expert level)...and realized that such a set would be a major, and expensive (I like the better grades) endeavor. So, I have a couple, just to enjoy, and like to look at them when shown.....My other hobbies also are expensive , so I have to strike a balance. Cheers, RickO

DRUNNER

I notice that there are quite a few (original, if G-F) Large Cents in the 2x2 folders of many dealers even in the small local shows. Maybe you can get lucky in a bin at Long Beach . . . but I would think you could amass quite a set from just taking your time . . . looking for undisturbed surfaces (not worrying too much about wear) . . .and grabbing 2-3 middle-late dates per show in the look you desire. That is what I do. NO . . . I DON'T grab 15-20 from one mom n pop dealer . . but I quite often find 2-3 smooth, chocolate, no problem G+ - F for $22-$28. Once in a while . . . a nice guy will knock one down to $20.

Be choosy . . . . just stop at every guy's table and ask to look through the large cents in the 2x2 box or the 2x2 pages. You will be surprised at how well you can do . . . . . .

Now when you get to the keys . . . . .there are no easy answers. Get your Classics in nice G . . .and Early dates . . . .on Anniversaries, Birthdays, and Christmas . . . . one at a time.

Drunner

robkool

I currently have a decent one (1852) that's ending this Sat evening. Just click my ebay sig link below. It's still very cheap too...
Good luck !!!

BillJones

Since you are thinking about buying raw, keep the Chinese counterfeits in mind. The fact that you are shopping for circulated examples only plays into their hands. They mostly offer “circulated “ pieces. Messing with surfaces provides them with ways to cover up the flaws.

In the 1970s and before, many dealers had large cents, but the popularity of die variety collecting has concentrated many pieces into the hands of early copper specialist dealers. That has made it harder to find random pieces at the shows, especially the smaller shows.

markelman1125

Go to an antique shop. I got an 1802 large cent worth around $50 for only $4, lol
I am trying to sell it if any of you are interested. Trying make some $ off it to spend on my model trains

cmerlo1

Chris McCawley, owner of Frisco Mint here in Texas has an incredible selection of large cents, half cents, and colonial copper, certified and uncertified. Incredibly nice guy as well.

calgolddiver

http://largecents.net/links.html

an available channel for you ...

ReadyFireAim

I can tell you that you don't need a library to collect saints but large cents are a different critter.

Greeniejr

Chris McCawley is a fantastic old timer with a very extensive inventory of Raw in a variety of grades. Kevin Vinton is a fantastic EAC dealer as well.

lkenefic

I've bought my Type pieces from Tom Reynolds. I was putting together a VG-VF set years ago and purchased from Steve Ellsworth (Butternut) and have recently been looking at Tom Deck's website.

erwindoc

Sounds like a fun project, but I have too many things going now. Good luck!

msch1man

The yearly EAC Sale held in conjuction with the EAC convention (though this year it is planned to be with the ANA in August - assuming that doesn't get cancelled as well) is a wonderful source for high quality collector-grade coins...many of which happen to be raw. Very good images with very honest, expert descriptions. You do have to be an EAC member to bid, but if you're planning on putting together a set of large cents, the EAC membership will more than pay for itself - http://eacs.org/join-eac/

Aotearoa

@ReadyFireAim said:
I can tell you that you don't need a library to collect saints but large cents are a different critter.

To wit:

SiriusBlack

@Aotearoa I was looking online at some of those! Seems like the bowers books is the least expensive/most accessible to start with before I completely fall down the rabbit hole,

Thank you everyone for all of the responses and advice, it’s much appreciated! I’ve seriously gotta learn more I think and begin with reading. I do own a few large cents already. I’ve started looking at those links and dealers websites as well.

Aotearoa

@SiriusBlack said:
@Aotearoa I was looking online at some of those! Seems like the bowers books is the least expensive/most accessible to start with before I completely fall down the rabbit hole,

I agree. And, the Bowers book covers the full range of Large Cents (and Half Cents).

Walkerguy21D

These were all purchased from “sheet” dealers, prices ranged from $35 to $100. No stickers, etc. but reasonably decent album coins.

ElmerFusterpuck

That is a cool collection to try for! If it was me doing this, I think I would stick with 1816 thru 1857 dates, a bit more attainable and a bit cheaper.